Ever since Infiniti announced the M45 earlier this year at the New York Auto Show, we've had mixed feelings about it. The look didn't seem consistent with other current Infiniti models due to it's Japanese market origins (see sidebar). The new car appears to be more of a
doppelganger for the previous generation Q45 than it is a stablemate to the current Q. We were also dismayed by the early publicity photos which portrayed a high ground clearance, especially exaggerated by its lack of front chin bodywork. We were also surprised Infiniti chose to cut costs by sharing the dash with the upper crust Q45. We're sure M45 owners won't mind but Q owners might have a heart attack
learning they spent a few grand more for a less unique interior.
On the plus side, we were excited at the prospects of an alloy DOHC 32-valve 4.5 liter V-8 producing 340 horses at the rear wheels. It's the same engine found in the more expensive Q45. With the early 0-60 time controversies set a side, the engine is smooth and powerful. We've had a lot of seat time in many Q45s and can attest to its muscle car-like thrust - an attribute which has been carried over to the new M45.
So fast forward a few months and we get the opportunity for a quick first drive. Once you're in the cabin you'll immediately notice the pod-like center console borrowed from the Q45. There's a large LCD multi-function display for the audio, dual zone climate control, and navigation (if optioned out). There's a slathering of buttons, which may confuse some people (especially us when we tried figuring out how to adjust the fan speed without consulting the user manual). The analog clock sits mid way below but seems more like an afterthought considering how far you have to crane your neck to see the time. For some reason, Infiniti chose
to include an in-dash CD player on the aforementioned 2003 Q45 center
cluster but not on the M45. Perhaps the M45 will receive it as a running change in a few months as well.
We weren't crazy about the dark graphite wood trim in our test car but others may love it. While the leather and plastics on the dash and door seemed of high quality, they were not on par with other competitors such as Audi. Disappointingly, Infiniti chose to use the same imitation chrome found on the door handles of the $28,000 G35, which is not acceptable on a $43,000 M45! It simply blows our minds that they didn't at least enhance the most frequently touched and viewed interior surfaces.
Other than our quibbles, we did like the panoramic view and the seats were comfortable and supportive for sporty driving. The seats include an interesting first for Infiniti - embedded seat climate system. The controls are mounted on the side of the seat (a la G35) and work by circulating cool or warm air through the seatbacks and bottom cushion. We found the cooling system worked well, especially considering that it was a sunny southern California day. The rear seats are comfortable but do come up a bit short for leg room,
surprising for this mid-size car. If you want a few more inches of legroom, you'll need to upgrade to the Q.
The interesting part begins when you twist the key into the ignition. Once on the road, the torquey V-8 and five-speed automatic transmission for the most part work well together. The burble of the V-8 is intoxicating under heavy throttle. The M45 does receive the Q's revised final drive ratio (3.133:1) for improved acceleration. There's a manual mode but we didn't play around with it during this quick first drive.
According to Infiniti the car weighs around 100 pounds less than the Q45, so the M45 should be slightly faster than its flagship big brother! The initial launch throttle lag we noticed on the Q45 has been exorcised from its electronic throttle control. We did notice a slight downshift hestiation when flooring the throttle at lower speeds. But once it's in the next gear, it'll easily redline without delay. Make no mistake about it, the M45 will easily lay down some rubber on the asphalt.
It's even more fun once you find some twisty roads. While it's not a true sports car, the car's rear wheel drive chassis, meaty 18" wheels, well-balanced steering, and multi-link rear suspension provide a high degree of precision when pushed to its limits. There's very little body roll - we were able to blast through some small switchbacks without a sweat. Even at the 7/10ths pace, we didn't notice the car's traction control or VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) kick in. The M45 shares the same brake setup as the Q with 11.4" and 11.5" discs front and back, respectively. The system includes ABS, EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution), and brake force assist. Overall, the brakes brought the car down to a quick and well-controlled stop. After our brief performance testing stint, we certainly look forward to more seat time with the M45.
Does Infiniti have a hit on it's hands? As far as we can tell; the M45 is a compelling car for the money (with credit due to the sublime V-8 engine and rear wheel drive layout). But can a car be successful on bang for buck alone? While the car may be a big financial hit, Infiniti will have to make the next generation M45 with less compromises if they want their brand to compete and be recognized amongst the ranks of Lexus, BMW, and Mercedes. If you're looking for a reliable and relatively powerful V-8 import sedan for a reasonable price, the M45 deserves to be on your shopping list.
Speak your
mind about this article: 